Construction work on phase 4 of the Azito thermal power plant extension project, in the municipality of Yopougon, west of Abidjan, was launched on Friday by the Ivorian Minister of Petroleum, energy and renewable energies, Abdourahmane Cissé, noted APA on the spot in the Ivorian economic capital.

The commissioning of this phase 4 of the Azito project for a total investment of 331 million euros, or 217 billion FCFA, is eagerly awaited by the government, underlined Minister Abdourahmane Cissé, adding that "we we have agreed that the first Mwh will be available from 2021”.

In accordance with the government's ambition to make Côte d'Ivoire the energy hub of the sub-region, the country has drawn up a plan to develop its production capacities to cover its national needs and its exports to the countries of the sub-region while respecting its commitments in the fight against climate change.

“Our production capacity has increased by approximately 60% since 2011 to stand today at 2,229 MW. The objective is to reach a capacity of around 4000 MW over the next few years and an energy mix of 42% renewable energy by the end of 2030,” Minister Cissé explained.


It is with this in mind, he recalled, that in view of the 20 years of successful experience in Côte d'Ivoire of the company Azito Energie, in the development and operation of power stations in the form of independent electricity producer, the government renewed its confidence in it in 2016 for the development of the Azito thermal power plant extension project (Phase 4).

"The Azito Energie Company already contributes through its existing power plant, around 30% to the gross national electricity production which amounted to 10,613 MWh at the end of 2019", continued the Minister of Petroleum, energy and renewable energies.

According to him, the project will create about 2,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase. “Emphasis will be placed on the promotion of Ivorian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in carrying out the work,” concluded Mr. Cissé.


Previously, the Regional Representative for West and Central Africa of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Aliou Maïga, on behalf of the donors, welcomed this additional project to "meet the growing domestic (electricity) demand". . For the World Bank Group, this project is of paramount importance, he added.

This phase 4 of the Azito thermal power plant extension project is financed in particular by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the West African Development Bank ( BOAD), Proparco which is a subsidiary of the French Development Agency, the German Development Agency (DEG), the Netherlands Development Agency (FMO), the OPEC Fund for International Development, the for Africa and the Belgian Investment Company (BIO).